LSU track and field sends 13 to NCAA Indoor meet

LSU track and field sends 13 to NCAA Indoor meet

Associated Press file photo by CHARLIE NEIBERGALLLSU sprinter Kimberly Duncan has the fastest time in the world this season in the 200 meters at 22.54 seconds. She leads a strong Lady Tigers contingent into the NCAA Indoor Championships on Friday and Saturday.

The LSU track and field teams will have a total of 13 scoring opportunities for the NCAA Indoor Championships, which will be held Friday and Saturday in Fayetteville, Ark.

The top-ranked Lady Tigers have 10 scoring chances in the meet as they go for their first NCAA indoor crown since 2004.

While their 10 entries ranks only fifth among the title contenders, nine Lady Tigers rank in the top seven nationally going into the meet.

The list is headed by senior Kimberlyn Duncan, who has recorded the fastest time in the world in the 200 meters this season at 22.54 seconds and is second in the nation in the 60 (7.16). Duncan will be going after her third consecutive NCAA indoor title in the 200.

Charlene Lipsey and Natoya Goule rank 1-2 in the 800 with times of 2 minutes, 02.48 seconds and 2:03.08, respectively, while Jasmin Stowers is ranked third in the 60 hurdles (8.06).

Keri Emanuel and Lynnika Pitts rank fourth and sixth in the triple jump with marks of 44 feet, 2 inches and 43-9, respectively.

Two Lady Tigers are seventh in their events with Takeia Pinckney joining Duncan in the 60 (7.28) and Denise Hinton going in the weight throw (70-91/4).

The Lady Tigers’ 4x400 relay team ranks ninth at 3:33.91.

The 15th-ranked Tigers will have three entrants in the meet, a group that’s topped by Aaron Ernest. Like Duncan, he is the world leader so far this year in the 200 with a time of 20.53 seconds.

LSU’s other entrants are Damar Forbes, who ranks second in the long jump (26-53/4), and the 4x400 relay team (3:07.41) that ranks ninth.

There are only two other entrants from state schools qualified for the meet: Tulane’s Merrit Van Meter, who is tied for 15th in the women’s pole vault (13-101/2); and Louisiana Tech’s Trey Hadnot, who is tied for ninth in the men’s 200 (20.81).